Ford Windstar Problems

Comments

HI there folks... just came across this board and thought someone might jhave a suggestion or two ... My "new to me" 2000 windstar LX is causing me grief over the drivers side sliding door.. It seemed to "stick" for a bit now has completely stopped working and of course it's stuck in the lock mode.. I've pulled the panel off and sprayed lubricant ( WD40) in hopes to lube it up abit ... now I've seen in here that someone suggested brake cleaner? anyone have any suggestions before I end up taking to the "ford guys" lol... Any help would be great thanks...

Lately my 1996 Winstar started to give me some trouble.Whenever I drive slow there is a grinding noise then it turns to a (clunking) breaking noise somewhere near the Passenger side of the front wheel. However,when at high speed it just dissapear.

I got the muffler checked out and the mechanic said the muffler system is not touching the frame .

Had anyone encounter a problem like this before?

BTW , I bought this Winstar from an auction with 85000 miles.The problem with it then was the Transmission was not changing on the first gear. being an electronics guy I took out my meter and test the little module on top of the Transmission and found it to be defective.I went straight to the office and bought it for $3,000 took it home and I went to ford and bought the module for approx $100.00 and put it on. This unit never give me any problems until now 6 years later.

hi i had my oil change last week and they told me that i had about a cup of oil in my air filter ( i was noticing that my gas milleage was bad ) they told me that my engine must be going bad engine has 170000km about 100000 mile i talk with another mechanic and he told me that i should change my pcv valve witch i did and the air filter too clean everything but thereis still a bit of oil going in my air filter and i dont know if it could be related but we notice about 3 to 4 weeks ago a '' hissing sound '' comming from the right side of the engine closer to the inside of the van when sitting inside cause my mechanic told me it might be a pressure problem i took the engine oil cover out put my hand on top of it to check to see if there was a lot of pressure comming out and everything seemed normal can anybody help me with this problem . thank you

The problem is that the coupelights doesnt turn off at all!?? (i´m sorry for my bad english but i´m from sweden!) The lights go on when i open any door, just as they should but when i close the door they never turn off unless i don´t take the fuse away!! Please help a confused swede!!

Well, I finally got the transmission shudder to go away. Took a rebuild to do it, the sun gear, pump shaft and valves all had to be replaced. $2500 courtesy of the extended warranty company. That brings their share of my Windstar ownership up to $6500 since the expiration of the Ford warranty 43000 miles ago.

I had a 95, bought new, went through the head gasket leak. Ford finally replaced the head gasket, but it was too late. The coolant gets into the oiling system and ruins the main engine bearings. I had gaskets at 55,000 miles. Engine died at 65,000 miles. You will need a new or rebuilt block. Cost will probably exceed value of the vehicle.

Sorry I didn't read this sooner. I'm having the exact same problem where my odometer, speedometer, ac fuse was blowing every time I applied brakes fully. It started last november when my emergency brake light came on due to low brake fluid. I filled the brake fluid to the proper level and continued losing fluid. My cruise control quit working about the same time and now the fuse keeps blowing. I'm taking it to the ford mechanic today to have repaired. Don't know what kind of service fee or repair will be, but I contacted Ford and relayed the problem and hope I will be reimbursed for the repair on a future recall. I suggest you call them and relay your same complaint.

I had the same problem. Your master cylinder is leaking (at the bottom) onto the switch that controls the cruise control. This switch must be replaced to fix the problem and stop the leak. My was repaired under the ESP, so I do not have a cost from the repair. The repair looks very easy, if you are handy you might be able to do it yourself.

I own a 1995 windstar with a 3.8 engine. I feel fortunate with my van as I have very few problems with it. The engine was replaced about 70k (before I purchased it) van has beenvery dependable up to this point. I have been having problems with it running rough like a stutter at speeds of 40mph to highway speeds (60 to 75 mph). It doesn't do it all the time.It may run good going into town and stutter going home or vice versa. I have replaced catalytic converter and one oxygen sensor. Convertor was rattling. Replaced plugs and wires. No check engine light showing. I have also cleaned MAF sensor. Fuel pressure checked ok. HELP

Have you fixed your problem or figured it out? The reason I am asking is our 98 Ford W/S does that too. But only really on hot days. Like the other day it was warm out and we drove it about 45 miles away, stopped at a relatives place for a couple hours and then went out it wouldn't start. But then sometimes it will be either 5 minutes and it will turn over or 3 hours later it will start. I don't know what is wrong with it, so if you have any ideas or someone has replied to you I hope there comes some inexpensive answer. I don't think I will ever buy a ford again. Thanks Nichole

Hello Everyone, I have the same problem as someone else, the van will run and then not start back up and it usually is on warm to hot days. Sometimes it will start up just right after I try to turn it or it won't start up until 3 hours later. I know when we let our fuel get low it has a tougher time starting up so we keep it full all the time now but summer is coming and I need my van to be reliable to me. If anyone has any answers please HELP!!!! I don't know if taking it in and put it on the computer machine is going to help or not. Thanks Nichole

I have a 1999 and had 1 tranny replacement at ~ 45,000 miles under warranty. We are at 70K now and the warranty expires at 75k. How many of you 1999 owners have replaced more than 1 tranny in your windstar? I don't know whether to hang on to this vehicle, or trade it in for a Honda, Toyota, etc. Definitely no more windstars. endured a '95 :lemon: before the '99

well, not sure if my experience with an 00 counts as 2 trannies but at 38K I needed a new one, fortunately had ext warranty. The first replacement one the dealer tried to put in "didn't fit"!! So they had to get another one sent out to them!

bought this with 49k on the clock. now has 60k. There was a faint noise that sounds like a sticking lifter. Now it is very loud. My mechanic seems to think that he heard this exact noise on another customer who went to the dealer and got it resolved as an Intake manifold problem. Anybody have any direct experience with this and it making this kind of noise. What was the resolution. I have an after market policy that has been very good through on this and another car before this. However, for a top end problem, I am all upfront and get paid after inspection. Keep those oil change receipts. Before I get into approving a tear down, I want to make sure it isn't something less expensive.Thanks

Intermittent will not start or dies while driving has been electrical problems from my experiences. You will have to make a prearranged deal with your service person to put it right on the analyzer when you have it towed in and hope it is still acting up. A circuit somewhere breaks its connection, usually when warm and the stuff is expanded, causing the break. When it cools the part or parts nearby shrink and the circuit is completed. It would have to be somewhere in the ignition system. I have even seen this type of defect in the main computer that controls just about all the systems. Ford had an electronic part mounted too close to a heat source that caused this same problem for years until a class action lawsuit in California caused Ford to correct the problem in California cars. That part should have been corrected in most all Ford vehicles by sometime in the 90"s.

My 00 had the same noise, when the engine was idling and the transmission was in the drive position. At a normal idle (in park), I had to increase the RPMs to get the noise.It turned out to be my intake manifold. You can check this by setting the conditions for the engine to make the noise and then press down hard on the intake manifold, if there is a change in the noise, then you have found the problem.

That is how the guy at the Ford dealership found the problem. It only took them 3 years to figure it out.

We have a 1997 Windstar with 92,000 miles on it. The vehicle has been free of any major problems until now. Told today that intake and timing cover gaskets need replacing at a cost of $1700. I am thinking I do not want to put that much into this vehicle since its value is only about $3700 (based on Edmunds private party for "clean" condition).

Other than the engine getting dirty, what are the longer term consequences of letting these leaks go?

Coolant and oil will mix eventually destroying the engine. But I wouldn't put $1,700 into a 3.8 with almost 100,000 miles. You can get a remanufactured 3.8 for around $1000 more. If it were mine I would wait until it blows and spring for the new engine.

That sounds like a good plan. There is a local company that remanufactures and installs, I am going to get a price from them for confirmation...but from looking on line it does appear that a remanufactured 3.8 engine is maybe $1500-1700 and installation should run about $1000. Plus the remanufactured has 3yr/75,000 mi warranty.

This is to be an extra vehicle for about 9 of the next 12 months, and will see limited use. That limited use may continue after that too, extending the life of the current engine.

With a remanufactured engine, I assume those gaskets and other gaskets and seals on the engine would all be new, correct? That (plus the warranty) would definitely makes it a better solution, as I would not want to replace these gaskets and then have head gaskets blow or something.

My 2000 Windstar has the door open light on all the time.I know it is the tailgate that is triggering it but maybe I'm just blind but I can't find the contacts to clean them or whatever I have to do to make this work.Up to and including bypassing the sensor if I have to.I am already looking at an emission warning light triggered by a vaccuum leak no one can find.I would be happy to be looking at only 1 warning light again.Thank you

I am looking for some technical advise, the passenger window of my 1998 Ford Windstar stopped working, I consulted a mechanic who has replaced the motor. Few weeks later the motor stopped working and I decided to replace the motor myself. The new motor stopped working after few hours, and when I unplugged the motor it started to work, I noticed that the new motor is faster than the old one for the driver window and considerably overheats after testing it 6-7 times. The voltage to the motor is 12.5 volts and the window mechanism and all relays seem to work fine. I can not find anything that can possibly be wrong and I appreciate any advise.

That depends on the inegrity of the rebuilder. Obviously you would want to bring that up with them before purchasing, but I would also shop around dealers and price their factory certified rebuilds. With a Ford rebuilt engine or transmission you get a 3/36 warranty and all the latest gaskets and hardware. If it's within 10-20% of an independent shop, the dealer motor may be a better deal.

You need to check available current and current draw, not voltage. You could have a pinched wire not supplying enough power to the motor, or the window could be hanging up in its track or the regulator assebly could be jamming overworking the motor.

Hey Thanks, it is going in today to get put up on the computer to see if it can tell anything and what is wrong with it. Also someone told me it could be the fuel sensor in it so you have given me other things to look at but I do believe it has something to do with the fuel issues obviously. Thanks Nichole

Bought a 2003 Ford Windstar. I now have a swimming pool.I've brought it for service 2x now and they still can not find out where the water is coming from. They resealed my roof seams. I can see it coming down my passenger rear near the back hatch and into the power outlet. The rug in the back is dry but the rug under the front seats and back bucket seats are soaking wet. .. This makes me think it is running somewhere under the floor also and coming up where ever it can find an exit. Rust has started on the back of my seats where metal is exposed and I have a moldy odor inside. I am really worried about the "MOLD" issue now. They have not offered to do anything for my rugs or anything else. Any suggestions. I am bring in back to be looked again today.- LF

Hello Guys and Gals, I have a 99 Ford Wind Star. I have changed all 4 Oxygen Sensors Plus my Air Mass Flow Sensor. My engine light is back on with the same codes reading Bank 1 & Bank 2 Lean. This is crazy. I can't even get my vehicle inspected due to this crazy Emission testing which will not allow your vehicle to pass with the Engine light on and its reading codes. I have changed gasoline Used fuel infection cleaners and everything. Anyway can somebody HELP ME!!!JC in North Carolina

Hello I took my van in today and come to find out part of the problem was a relay system, then they called me and said it was working right so I walked down, which is 20 minutes not bad but remind you I walked home and that was 20 minutes thank god for sunshine, however when I got there it did the same thing. But part of the problem really was the relay part but they are going to look at it tomorrow morning first thing and we might have to put in a new fuel pump. Good lord I guess when stuff happens it happens at once, I will keep you all informed on what happens thanks for your help. The thing is it only does this when it is warm out and I do believe it is something with the fuel. So thank you for your help any other answers would be appreciated. Thanks Nichole

Hello Everyone, well I got my van back today and apparently there are 2 relay switches in the van one is connected to the fuel pump and windshield and that was the one that needed to be fixed not the pump. He ran the van for 2 hours nad stopped it and started it and it started right up. So anyways right now it is that, if it becomes the fuel pump it will be costly but will be worth it as the van has lasted this long. Anyways I just wanted everyone to know it was electrical and dealt with the relay switch and some people don't realize there are 2 relay switches out there so I hope this helps people out in the future. I will keep you all posted on the outcome of the future issues of the van if there are any. Thanks Nichole

Hello Everyone, well I got my van back today and apparently there are 2 relay switches in the van one is connected to the fuel pump and windshield and that was the one that needed to be fixed not the pump. He ran the van for 2 hours nad stopped it and started it and it started right up. So anyways right now it is that, if it becomes the fuel pump it will be costly but will be worth it as the van has lasted this long. Anyways I just wanted everyone to know it was electrical and dealt with the relay switch and some people don't realize there are 2 relay switches out there so I hope this helps people out in the future. I will keep you all posted on the outcome of the future issues of the van if there are any. Thanks Nichole :shades:

I have the same proble with my 99 WSthe dealer wants to replace sensors, pcv cover, reporgram something, and more, for about $950.Do you know if this is a common issue with windstars? Has Ford been contacted?

My 2005 Windstar recently started running very rough and I also get a strong gasoline smell in the cab. A friend that's more mechanically inclined than I am said it might be the fuel pressure regulator. Is this something a mechanically challenged person can replace or does it take special skills to do this task?

Hey there had the same problem with my 2000.... someone suggested spraying some WD40 in all the door locks and there is one inside the back hatch ( small hole at the bottom of the door) now whether or not that was the problem ( I sprayed the WD40 ) and mine works now.